Posted in: Comics | Tagged: dark horse, The Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy, yoshitaka amano

Dark Horse to Publish Illustrated Biography of Yoshitaka Amano in October

Published Thu, 03 May 2018 14:00:33 -0500

by Jude Terror

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This October, Dark Horse will publish Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy, a hardcover illustrated biography of the legendary artist whose work you might know from Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D, or Sandman: The Dream Hunters, amongst many others. The biography is written by Florent Gorges, and the details are conveniently provided in a press release:

Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy is a beautiful celebration of the life and imagery of Japan's master of fantasy and science fiction art! This handsome, landscape-style hardback contains nearly 400 illustrations and photos from the incredible career of Final Fantasy designer Yoshitaka Amano. But Beyond the Fantasy covers far more than just the famous game series. Amano's artistic journey goes back to his first job in 1967—age 15, working on Speed Racer! From animator to illustrator, to internationally exhibited painter, this biography is a look not only into the work of Amano's life, but the influences, techniques, philosophy, and family that have nurtured it.

The Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy Limited Edition is a must-have for any Amano fan. Its three colors, black, red, and gold, are designed to evoke Amano's own favorite hues—and his father's traditional lacquerware craft that influenced him from childhood!

The book will be available in two editions, a regular "black slipcase" edition and a deluxe "limited edition" version. The press release explains the difference:

The black slipcase of the Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy Limited Edition contains not only the same 328-page gold hardback biography from the regular edition, but also the elegant red 96-page Yoshitaka Amano—Paris Sketchbook, a landscape-style softcover with French flaps. The Paris Sketchbook follows Amano through the famous city in a photo essay, collecting the sketches of the people he made along the way!

Besides the gold and red books, the Limited Edition also contains a portfolio with a region-free Blu-ray (subtitled in English) featuring almost three hours of talk and interviews with the creator and the documentary makers, containing bonus information and archival images not in the biography. You'll walk with Amano through the streets of Paris, shop with him for drawing supplies and art books, and experience a "live draw" in his studio, showing Amano's exact technique from blank sheet to finished Vampire Hunter D painting! A mini-lithograph of the painting and a Final Fantasy illustration is also included in the portfolio—and finally, the Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy Limited Edition features an individually signed card from Amano himself!

And of course, there's also the price. The Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy hardcover is 328 pages and retails for $49.99. The Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy Limited Edition is 424 pages and retails for $149.99. Both are in stores on October 10, 2018, so apply for a credit card today!